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The Bridge
Disabled Artist's Residency
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The Bridge is a new creative artistic residency for emerging disabled young artists aged 18-30 from in and across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire funded by Arts Council England.
12 Disabled participants aged 18 to 30 will work alongside experienced arts professionals from the region to workshop and develop creative arts skills and ideas in theatre, music, dance and production.
The group will work collaboratively to make high quality artistic work over 6 sessions and deliver a sharing of work at the end of the project in June 2026.
The sharing will be to an invited audience, and will include supporting partners and arts organisations local to Nottingham(shire) who have already pledged to support to the future development and legacy of the project.
The aim of the project is to support emerging disabled Nottinghamshire based disabled artists to develop skills, create connections, explore ambitions, opportunities and employment in the arts.
Who is it for and what's the residency about?
We are searching for interested disabled people who have been working in, or want to work in the performing arts and who have been actively doing, working or practicing their artform for more than a year. We are searching for up to 12 people, aged between 18 to 30 years of age, and so we are asking people to make an application which we will select people based on their application form (see apply section on here)
What do we mean by disabled?
We know that this is complex and we may not use the word you like, but by us using the word disabled we mean people who are D/deaf, hearing impaired, Blind, visually impaired, disabled, chronically ill, learning disabled, neurodivergent, and or living with a long term health condition and or mental health condition.
What will happen if I'm successful?
Once the group has been selected we will have an introductory online meeting and then work over a number of weeks to come up with something to create and share, we will work in the following way.
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An online introductory session to meet everyone involved in the project and learn what we hope to do
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6 weekly sessions in person (hybrid possible) together to create work with the professional artists. We will work in smaller groups and as one to create something incredible! The dates are below.
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2 day rehearsal and sharing event on 10th and 11th June in Nottingham. This will be an opportunity for participants to show their talent and skills and to meet local organisations who maybe able to offer further opportunities - even employment.
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Evaluation forms will need to be filled in to help us carry the work on for the participants, including more people next time.
What if I have access needs?
You need to let us know what your needs are on your application so that we can be sure to support you to participate.
Dates that you will need to be available
The following are the project dates. Unfortunately, you do need to be available for the vast majority of them. The sharing event is compulsory. If you think that attendance is a barrier due to your disability or needs, please do state this on your application form.
Dates of the project:
Successful participants informed - 15th April 2026
Wednesday 29th April - online session - time tbc
Wednesday 6th May - online session - time tbc
Wednesday 13th May - session 1 - in person venue tbc
Wednesday 20th May - session 2 - in person venue tbc
Wednesday 27th May - session 3 - in person venue tbc
Wednesday 3rd June - session 4 - in person venue tbc
Wednesday 10th June - rehearsal - in person venue tbc
Thursday 11th June - sharing event - in person venue tbc
Who will be at the sharing?
We are working on that, but we do know that our supporting partner organisations are coming, these include, Graeae Theatre Company, People Dancing, Lakeside Arts Centre, FABRIC, Unanima, New Perspectives Theatre Company, and more.... all the people who can support you during your professional journey!
What happens after it?
Great question! We hope that if the project is successful and has impacted the lives of participants, then we will submit funding to deliver the project again.
Ok, I'm in, where do I apply?
You can apply by filling out the application form here, or at the top of the screen. You can if you prefer send us an audio file or MP4 video no longer than 5 mins saying why you would like to be involved and a little about you to artsprojectbridge@gmail.com
Good luck!